'Tis the season to sparkle... Which is why we teamed up with our go-to girl crew,@paulabphoto and @jkwbeauty, to show you some of our favorite holiday looks. A very special thank you Hootch & Banter for letting us shoot in their new lounge, and to our beautiful models Mandy & Gina!

Fall is coming in hot and it's filled with 60's and 70's vibes.
Start your Fall #loungeloot a little early and shop these pieces now! 
Photographer: Paula Bartosiewicz Reese​
Beauty: JKWBeauty
​Shoot Location: 11:11 Cafe

Billabong Standing Pretty Romper, $59.95
Amano Studio Hammered Hoop, $26.00
Dolce Vita Uma Boot, $200.00
​Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack, $295.00

​Z Supply Sherpa Jacket, $79.00
BB Dakota Milky Way Top, $58.00
BB Dakota Meet Me In Detention Skirt, $64.00
Free People Black Bootie, $148.00
​Amano Studio Stella Earring, $20.00
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Billabong Jack Hat, $34.95
Amano Orb Stud Earring, $28.00
Free People Mountaineer Cuff, $68.00
Free People Canyon Jumper, $68.00
Dolce Vita Unity Bootie, $160.00

Free People Evelyn Jacket, $148.00
Free People Brooke Flair, $78.00
Free People Mixed Up Cuff, $68.00
Free People Buena Vista Clog, $178.00
​Silver Wire Earrings, $44.00

We're so happy to announce that we are now carrying Billabong! I'm sure many of you already know this brand, and we hope you're as happy as we are that it's hit our shelves. Things you can look forward to now with Billabong, free spirit looks, amazing prints, killer hats, and more...

Billabong Forever Lust Dress: $69.95
Billabong No Worries Hat: $39.95
Dolce Vita Straw Wedge: $120.00
Zad Necklace: $18.00
Love Poppy Earring: $40.00

Billabong Jack Hat: $34.95
Billabong Desert Adventure Pant: $49.95
Volcom Weekender Sandal: $18.00
Love Poppy Rosary Necklace: $46.00

Billabong All Flored Kimono: $74.95
Hudson Sade Cut Off Short: $145.00
Free People Take Me Out Bodysuit: $38.00
Shiraleah Earrings: $36.00
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Last week, Velvet Lounge celebrated it's 20 YEAR anniversary! We celebrated the only way we know how...By throwing an epic party. We drank, we danced, we laughed, we celebrated and reflected on where we are today and how lucky we are to be here. 
We would like to say a special thank you to some individuals who helped make this party a night to remember...
Brad Barnwell who took all of these amazing images. 
Farrah Flosscett for absolutely killing it and keeping us on the dance floor all night. 
Volt restaurant for letting us host our party in their beautiful courtyard. 

During the party, we had to two signature cocktails available. We gave the bartenders names and two descriptions...
A Tribe Called VL:  Rum, peach liquor, ginger, and lime. 
The Velvet Lounge girls, or as some say, “those Velvet Lounge girls…”, are not only co-workers but a tribe of bad ass, loyal, do anything for you, ladies. From dealing with the busiest store days, to long life talks when it’s slow, the VL tribe is always there for each other through thick and thin. 

Ain’t nuthin but a VL thing: Vodka, rosé, and strawberry. 
The Velvet Lounge girls may like our pretty Free People dresses and shiny things, but we firmly believe in keeping things a little gangsta. We’ve somehow crafted a balance of having a boho spirit, but gangsta work ethic when it comes to our lives. Work, play, family, life and love, we squeeze it all in cause it ain’t nuthin but a VL thing. 

THANK YOU to our loyal customers, the supportive community and the VL tribe for making these 20 years so very memorable. Cheers to 20 more! xx

In honor of our 20th year in business, we went all out for the annual Garden Party. We would like to give a huge thank you to all of our customers who attended, and all of the amazing vendors involved in this event. 
Images: Paula Bartosiewicz
Venue: McClintock Distillery 
Trunk Shows: Free People, Kitsch, Love  Poppy Jewels
​Florals: Bend in the River Farm
Catering: Love & Dishes
Braid Bar: JKWBeauty 

The Garden Party 
sold out.
Wednesday, May 2nd is the annual Free People Garden Party! This year's event will be held at McClintock Distillery and will feature trunk shows from Free People, Love Poppy Jewels, and Kitsch hair accessories. Guests can make the most of their Garden Party experience by visiting the JKWBeauty braid bar. Here, you can purchase a Kitsch accessory and have it styled in your hair on site by a beauty professional. 
This year Velvet Lounge is celebrating our 20 year anniversary, so we decided to go all out for The Garden Party!  We hired top caterer Minda from Love & Dishes to create a custom menu that perfectly reflects the #VLgirls... a little sweet, and a little savory. Guests will enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres, a beautiful dessert station, and couture cocktails using McClintock's spirits. Sip and snack while taking in the beautiful bohemian flower instillations created by Bend in the River Farm. 
The $25 ticket let's guests enjoy food, drinks, a free gift, and 20% off your entire purchase! Photographer, Paula Bartosiewicz, will be on site grabbing Instagram worthy images of you and your ladies dressed to the nines. 

To get ready for this (sold out) event, we collaborated with some pretty amazing people for a shoot...

Photography: Paula Bartosiewicz
Hair/Make - up:  JKWBeauty 

Kitsch Beyond The Stairs Bobby Pins: $14
Free People Gorgeous Jess Wrap: $148 

Free People Embrace It Maxi: $108
Free People Hi Neck Strappy Bra: $30 
Kitsch Star Hair Clip: $12
Kitsch Mini Clips: $12

Free People Priscilla Dress: $128 
Free People Tie Wrap Kimono: $108 
Dolce Vita Straw Wedge: $120 
​Kitsch Claw Clip: $12

Free People Love You Midi Dress: $168
Gold Locket: $14.00
Love, Poppy Coin Bracelet: $26 

Free People Flowered Child Tunic: $128 
Free People Longwood Printed Tunic: $88
Kitsch Universal Styling Wrap: $16 
Gold Multi Thread Necklace: $26 

Free People French Quarter Mini Dress: $128 
Dolce Vita Romano Heel: $140 
Kitsch Mini Clips: $12 
Frye Company Melissa Whipstitch: $428 

Free People Love You Midi Dress: $168 
Dolce Vita Bobbi Sandal: $70 
​Love, Poppy Hoop Earring: $44 

If you haven't noticed, the #VLgirls have a thing for all things floral!  So it was only natural that we host a Sarah Presnell art exhibit during this year's annual Fire in Ice. It was love at first sight when Sarah's art caught our eye on Instagram. Her bright, expressive floral depictions are some of the most beautiful interpretations of all things floral we love! Sarah Presnell spends her days as fun and innovative elementary school art teacher who teaches her kids yoga before class! (Love that!!) By night, Sarah paints away in her studio creating the most gorgeous floral designs that can be found on Etsy. 

We reached out to Sarah about her work and the possibility of an in-store show. Ideas just flowed! Through our discussions we ended up formulating a creative team (Wildflower Weddings and Honey Wild Photography) for a mini floral shoot at the Bend in the River Farm and the oh so charming Frederick Inn Bed & Breakfast in Buckeystown. Wildflower Weddings created a floral arrangement, passed it along to Sarah who then recreated her interpretation of the design on canvas. Honey Wild Photography captured the images on a sunny Sunday in January and the results were stunning! Take a look at some of the images below and then come see more of her amazing work for yourself this Saturday from 6 - 9 PM during Fire In Ice. Velvet Lounge will be serving up some bubbly to celebrate. Don't forget "Fairy Tales Do Exist!! visit with our magical unicorn ice sculpture out front! 

Meet #VLgirl Erycka... everyone’s favorite personal shopper, tell it how it is-er, and jeanologist. With an associates degree in fashion merchandising from Bauder College, and sixteen years of experience, she has perfected the art of personal styling.  She is a staple at the Velvet Lounge and we and our customers are so lucky to have her. Erycka holds a lot of accomplishments, but one of the most recent ones is that she is now a MOM <3! Whether she is making us laugh, or telling us what to wear, we appreciate all of it. Read our interview with one of the OG #VLgirls below! 

You’ve been with Velvet Lounge for almost as long as it’s been open! You’ve seen almost all the changes it has experienced in the last (almost) 20 years. What would you consider the best change that’s happened to the store?
 I would have to say expanding the store.  It’s so hard to imagine our store being in that little space.  Once that was done it one, just made more sense, and two, let us turn it into the beautiful store it is today.

People often call you the JEANOLOGIST because you are so talented at finding people the perfect pair of jeans. What would you say is the number one thing to remember about purchasing high end denim?  
To remember you are investing in quality NOT quantity.  You can purchase a ton of crappy jeans for super cheap but why not invest in one or two QUALITY pairs that not only flatter your body but can mix with everything in your wardrobe.  

If you could be a celebrity stylist, which celebrity would you want to style?  
I love very simple classic styles with a few trends mixed in.  I would love to work with someone like Rachel Bilson or Halle Berry who both have casual vibes and look great in anything they put on their body whether it be sneakers or a basic white tee.
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Would you say that your style has changed now that you are a new mom?
 I would say I am more cautious of what I purchase.  I now make sure I am purchasing smarter and not just following a trend that will be gone in a month.

What is one of your goals for 2018?
 Probably one of mine from 2017...To purchase more quality pieces and get rid of the overly trendy pieces that don’t work in my everyday lifestyle.  Also to put make- up on more!

You and April have been the dream team for many years now, why do you guys think you work so well together?
 Hahaha she’s the ying to my yang.  We are different in so many ways so I think that’s why we vibe and get along so well.  Where I may lack in areas she is super strong and vice versa.

Are you more of a Carrie, Samantha, Miranda or a Charlotte? Or a mix? (please give percentages.)  
 I would say I am 50% Carrie, 30% Charlotte, 15% Samantha and 5% Miranda.

What is an item of clothing or accessory in your closet that you could absolutely not live without?
 I could not live without multiple (good quality) white t shirts and  my favorite Citizens of Humanity Emerson Boyfriend jeans in multiple washes lol.

Do you think Justin and Selena will make it?
 Not too sure about that one...

Bloody Mary or Mimosa at brunch?
 For sure Mimosa or my new fav Prosecco!

What era of fashion do you find most inspiring?
Honestly...Everything always comes back around but I will always have a little soft spot for the 80’s since that’s when I grew up.

If you could eat without worrying about health, weight etc., what food would you eat every day?  
For sure Mac n cheese or shrimp and crab rose from Olazzo YUMMM  #pastaforlife.

How would you describe what a #VLgirl is?
 I would describe it as lifestyle honestly.  There is a little VL girl in all of us. To me it means being confident, trying to slay at work and life, being a great mom, respecting those around you and loving fashion of course!

Now that you live down the road, what do you miss most about living in Frederick?  
Probably not getting to hang out with my friends or family as much.  I will say tho it is a nice balance and honestly makes me appreciate Frederick more since I am not there every day.

Besides fashion and styling the celebs of Frederick, what other hobbies do you enjoy?  
I LOVE to cook and look for any opportunity to bake!  I also am enjoying pure barre and trying to eat healthy as much as I can.

Photography: Brad Barnwell. 

Meet #VLgirl Savanah!  Quirky, creative and who you have to thank for the amazing chalk art we always have at the store. You've probably seen some of her street stopping outfits downtown because in addition to VL, she is a barista babe at Cafe Nola, and works front desk at her parent's salon, Ladies & Gents. For such a young age, Savanah can already say she has mastered some pretty cool skills. She completed the culinary program at her high school, stage make up pro, and more. As our artist and emergency seamstress on call,  we couldn't be more psyched that she is a #VLgirl. Read our questionnaire below to learn more about Savy! 

 Having 3 jobs downtown, what would you say is the best thing about working in downtown Frederick?          
 It’s hard to pick just one but I guess the best thing about working downtown is that it is a tight knit community. Everyone is so friendly and involved in helping other local businesses. 

What’s the worst thing about working in downtown Frederick?                             
I can’t say that there is anything bad about working downtown. Moving from a very rural area to downtown Frederick has really brought this new sense of community  and lifestyle that i enjoy.

What is your favorite part about each of those jobs?
 Each of these jobs has helped me develop new skill sets and dabble in a bit of everything. Also, each job is a bit different.

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As someone with such an eclectic and vibrant style, what is your favorite color to wear and why?
 I enjoy wearing primary colors! They remind me of the cartoons I used to watch as a kid and make me feel like my own character.

Chalk board artist, sketch artist, and make - up artist, where did your love for art come from?
I’ve always been a hands on kinda person. Growing up with an artistic family, I was always making or creating something. I enjoy challenging myself to new mediums.


What’s the last song you listened to?
 “You’re the Devil in Disguise” by Elvis Presley.

Who would you say your muse is?
My muse is the evolution of art and design. It’s amazing to see how art has changed over such a long period of time, and it inspires me to look back at what risks art has taken to get to where it is today.

Your parents are both entrepreneurs, what’s something about business that you have learned from them?
 Oh boy where can I start? I’ve grown up in the salon, and have picked up some tips and tricks, but I’ve also learned that you gotta take risks. Not everyone accepts change, and that you gotta do what you love in order to succeed.

If you were to write a book, what genre would it be?
 If I were to write a book, it would probably be fiction. I like to be drawn away from reality and brought to a completely different setting. 

What actress would you want to play you in a movie?
Millie Bobby Brown. She was SO amazing in stranger things!

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What is your favorite season for fashion and why?
 I love fall into winter! ONE, because I have an obsession with turtle necks, and TWO, I love big coats! I have so many coats!

When you aren’t working, what is your favorite thing to do?
 When I’m not working, I like to hang with my boyfriend and my family. I also like to be crafty, I always have little projects going on.

Do you have any New Year resolutions?
 One of my New Year's resolution is to enroll in some college classes and further my education.

If you had to sum up 2017 in 3 words, what words would you use?
 Grown, change, memories.

Netflix or HBO GO?
 I don’t watch much TV, but when I do it’s Netflix .

​Photography: Brad Barnwell.

Photographer: Paula Bartosiewicz
Hair/Make Up: JKW Beauty 

Free People Ladies Who Lounge Kimono: $128
Free People Solstice Body Suit: $40
Splendid Black Legging: $148
Street Level Velvet Cross Body: $54 
{made} community Necklace: 92

Free People Once Upon A Time Top: $148
Citizen of Humanity Chrissy Uber High Rise: $208
Rebecca Minkoff Choker: $68
{made} community Necklace: $92
Rebecca Minkoff Small Flap Cross Body: $195

Free People Smockin Rockin Body Suit: $68
Free People Lace Halter: $20
Citizens of Humanity Rocket Crop High Rise in Silver Lining: $238
Rebecca Minkoff Sculpted Hoop: $38
​Rebecca Minkoff Small Love Crossbody: $245 

Free People Sequin Swing Mini: $128
Free People At Ease Loafer: $98

Free People Ruby Mini: $128
​Rebecca Minkoff Rose Gold Earings: $48

Free People Gabby Party All Night Dress: $98
Free People Furry Bomber: $168
Dolve Vita Zalen Sneaker: $100
Rebecca Minkoff Stardust earring: $58